The Italian Connection

Dear Readers, A March minestrone is served:   An Albanian society meeting hall in Los Angeles was once the scene of many joyous Italian wedding receptions, dances and happy memories for Signor A.C. who wondered whatever happened to the “Ghe …

Dear Readers, March is the month I like to recycle my “St. Patrick was Italian” column and remind you that Italo-Irish author, Tomie de Paola’s delightful book for children “Patrick- Patron Saint of Ireland” is available at the S.F. Museo …

Dear Readers, Marco Polo is a timely topic as the Chinese New Year of the Snake began recently, as determined by the Chinese Lunar Calendar.  Legend has it that Marco Polo brought pasta back to Italy from China, but that …

Dear Readers, A February finale of Italian Connections: Art Aficionados know that the lady with the mystic, enigmatic smile and eyes that follow you across the room, known as Mona Lisa, was painted by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Italian painter, …

Dear Readers, January (Gennaio) the symbolic month of fresh starts is also the month when we could use a little pick-me-up after the happy hustle of the holidays, therefore  I thought I would recycle my “Tiramisù” column.   As 2013 …

Dear Readers, Notes and Quotes for 2013. You make the world a bit more beautiful and better because you have been in it. ***   I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I …

Dear Readers, The Romantic Month of February, was chosen by co-author, Lawrence DiStasi, to launch his latest book “Esty”. Esty, a diminutive for Esther, was his Hungarian born maternal grandmother (his paternal grandmother was born in the Campania Region province …

Dear Readers, As March begins dozens of Cardinals have gathered in Rome to elect a new Pope.  After nearly eight years as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, 85, surprised the world on February 11 by …

Dear Readers, Looking back before looking forward in 2013, I am reminded of some great Italo-Americans I have met in the U.S.A., who have passed away but via their sons or daughters, their work continues to move forward.  In Louisiana, …

Dear Readers, March…the third month of the year has 31 days and is short for “Martius mensis”, month of Mars. In Roman mythology, Mars was the god of war and agriculture. Nerio, a minor Roman goddess was his wife. Jupiter …